Limpopo – The Department of Transport and Community Safety has distributed 177 bicycles to learners across three rural schools in Limpopo as part of efforts to improve access to education.
The bicycles were handed over on Friday, April 17, under the Shova Kalula programme, which aims to ease mobility challenges, reduce long walking distances and improve punctuality among learners in remote areas.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, confirmed that the initiative benefited three schools.
“We have started at Gwambeni Secondary School, giving them 60 bicycles, went to Sevengwana Secondary School to give them 28 bicycles, and now we are at Mgwazeni Secondary School where we are handing over 80 bicycles to needy learners,” she said.
Mathye noted that while the bicycles are allocated to learners, they remain the property of the department and the respective schools.
Learners welcomed the initiative, saying it would significantly improve their daily commute. Mitchel Mkansi, a learner from Gwambeni Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the support.
“I would like to thank Shova kalula for providing us with bicycles for transport. It is going to help learners travel from their place of departure to school and reduce the number of latecomers,” she said.
Acting Director of Transport Safety Promotion, Matsoshi Mapiti, said the programme also includes road safety education to ensure learners use the bicycles responsibly.
“This cycling safety programme teaches them how to be safe on the road when cycling to school. They are taught which side of the road to use, how to remain visible, and how to signal when turning,” she said.
She added that the initiative reflects the department’s commitment to promoting non-motorised transport.
“This is an indication from the Department of Transport and Community Safety that, as a department, we care about non-motorised modes of transport,” she said.
School Governing Body secretary at Sevengwana High School, Aubrey Baloyi, welcomed the intervention, citing its potential to address transport challenges in the community.
“We are very happy with the provision of the bicycles. It will be a great help to our learners. We are in a very poor community where some parents cannot afford transport. We have had a problem with latecomers, and with these bicycles we are one step closer to solving it,” he said.
Picture: Facebook/ Limpompo Department of Transport and Community Safety
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
